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Monday, January 10, 2011

'The Lotus Eaters' by Tatjana Soli (TLC Tour Stop)

Genre: Historical Fiction
About (from TLC Book Tours)
In the final days of a falling Saigon, The Lotus Eaters unfolds the story of three remarkable photographers brought together under the impossible umbrella of war: Helen Adams, a once-naive ingenue whose ambition conflicts with her heart, over the course of the fighting.; the mysterious Linh, the Vietnamese man who loves her, but is torn between conflicting loyalties to his homeland and his heart; and Sam Darrow, a man addicted to the narcotic of violence, to his intoxicating affair with Helen and to the ever-increasing danger of his job. All three become transformed by the conflict they have risked everything to record.


My thoughts:
This one punched me deep in my gut....I literally sobbed for 15 minutes after I finished the last page. All of these emotions were swirling within my chest and brain and I needed to release them with a good cry. I am just beginning to understand why my two uncles that served in Vietnam never spoke of their experience. Who would want to revisit those horrors, to have those images dredged up again, to make them real once more? I felt shell-shocked and wounded deep in my soul by the evil of war and how it brings out the worst in people. This book literally took me to the steamy and pungent jungles of Vietnam, the dirty streets of Saigon, and into a world that I couldn't begin to fathom. The characters were alive and jumped off of the pages. I found myself so engrossed in this story that I didn't want to put it down. This book is a powerhouse and will not leave my memory any time soon.  I understand that some people can not read about war and all of the horrible things that were inflicted upon our soldiers and the people of Vietnam, but to me this is such an important book to read as it took me deep into Vietnam and gave me perspectives from both sides.  This is an author to watch for as she seriously understands her audience and delivers a book that will move you beyond words! Trust me when I say, "READ IT!!!"

Rating: 5/5

About Tatjana

Tatjana Soli is a novelist and short story writer. Born in Salzburg, Austria, she attended Stanford University and the Warren Wilson MFA Program. Her stories have appeared in StoryQuarterly, Confrontation, Gulf Coast, Other Voices, Nimrod, Third Coast, Carolina Quarterly, Sonora Review and North Dakota Quarterly among other publications.
Her work has been twice listed in the 100 Distinguished Stories in Best American Short Stories and nominated for the Pushcart Prize. She was awarded the Pirate’s Alley Faulkner Prize, teh Dana Award, finalist for the Bellwether Prize, and received scholarships to the Sewanee Writers’ Conference and Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference. She lives with her husband in Orange County, California, and teaches through the Gotham Writers’ Workshop.
Visit Tatjana’s website HERE.
Check out what other bloggers are saying about
THE LOTUS EATERS.



Thank you to TLC Book Tours for sending me a review copy. I was not compensated for my review.
My thoughts on this book were in no way influenced by the author or publicist.
They are my personal reflections based solely on MY experience while reading this novel.
Source: TLC Book Tour and St. Martin's Press
Author: Tatjana Soli

Published: December 21, 2010
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Pages: 416
Genre: Historical Fiction
ISBN: 9780312611576
© 2010, Staci of Life in the Thumb. All Rights Reserved. If you reading this on a site other than, Life in the Thumb or Staci's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

33 comments:

  1. This book is on my wishlist! After reading your review, I want to read it even more .
    Thanks for the awesome review!

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  2. I am so glad you liked this one, Staci! As you know, it was my most favorite book this past year and I will be recommending it to just about everyone I know for years to come. It made quite an impression on me too--and I've read a ton of books about the Vietnam War over the years.

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  3. Wow very high praise. I might just have to get this one as one of my few adult reads for the year. Your review is very convincing.

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  4. Wowwwwwwwwww! This sounds AMAZING! I will have to read this one!!! Thanks for the awesome review Staci! :):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):):)

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  5. I know I'll get to this one when the TBR Dare is over... great review!

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  6. I'm glad to see you loved it as much as I did. It really does pack a punch. We'll link to your review on War Through the Generations.

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  7. I loved this one too. I'm so happy to see I'm not alone!

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  8. Very convincing review! I'll have to be on the lookout for this one.

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  9. Wow - this one really got to you. I'm putting it on my list. If it was that good, I've got to read it.

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  10. I do not know, you cried for 15 minutes, that sounds way too intense for me. But then why should I fear a great book

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  11. My Dad doesn't like to talk about Vietnam either. Looks like this book would give me some insight.

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  12. I have a sample of this on my Kindle. Not sure I'm ready for a sobfest book though. I think I will backburner this one for awhile

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  13. I've got this one on my "want to read" list, but have to wait awhile. Just can't do it too soon after Matterhorn.

    Glad to know you were so moved.

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  14. Darn it! I really wanted to read this one but couldn't fit it in. Your review is excellent and your emotions show through your review as well. Excellent work my friend.

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  15. Whew -- if it affected you so deeply, I'm sure it would do the same for me! when I'm ready for a good cry, I'll see about picking this one up!

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  16. Wow - this must be an incredible book! I would have to be in a particular frame of mind to read this one. I'm glad you got so much from it.

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  17. wow! sounds intense. My dad never spoke of the (Korean) war either.

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  18. I am convinced. It is hard to find a book that will have such a powerful effect on you.

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  19. This sounds like such an amazing read. I must request it from the library soon! Especially after reading your review!!!

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  20. I'm really looking forward to this one, and I'm so happy to see the 5/5!

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  21. I'd hoped to get this one read for the Vietnam Challenge last year, but never did. It sounds like I need to get to it soon.

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  22. I loved this book, and I don't normally gravitate toward books about the Vietnam War. Even though it was an emotional read I never felt like it was manipulative (I can't stand those kinds of books) - it seemed very real to life.

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  23. I read this book last year and really enjoyed it. It probably should have been on my best of list, but there were a few other books that stood out for me more. I am glad you enjoyed it, though. It is a very recommended read from me!

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  24. Wow, Staci, what a passionate reaction to this book! And, having just read it myself, I would have to agree with your assessment- it's a very emotional read. Thank you so much for being on the tour!

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  25. I will have to read this book, it's that simple! SOunds like I will have to be emotionally prepared though if you cried. Does it read like the Blue Notebook? This book broke my heart (in a good way).

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  26. I have heard nothing but good things about this book. I have it on my shelf after winning it. I really need to make time for it this year. I love this cover - very different from the hardcover.

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  27. Wonderful review. My review (also from TLC) and giveaway are here: http://manoflabook.com/wp/?p=988

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  28. One of my favorite books last year! It was so beautiful and tense and then really, really tense at the end. To the point where I almost had to put it down because I was afraid to read on.

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  29. Excellent review... I must have just been in a funky mood when I read this last year as normally these type of reads really get me.

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  30. Beautiful review Staci, I have this one waiting patiently for me, for some reason it keeps slipping to the bottom of the tbr pile but after your moving words I'll have to do something about that!

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  31. Seriously have to find this one next. What a great review and can't imagine how I could have missed this one.
    Have to beg hubby for one allowance to buy this one too.

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  32. Wow, I loved your review. It made you cry. Sounds like a very moving book and one that I may just have to read. I'm not really into the historical books, but this one sounds good.

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